A peasant girl travels through time with a hospital, rising to become an empress.

Sun stared at Jiang Wenxuan with anticipation, her voice tinged with excitement: "Wenxuan, how does it taste?"

Seeing the undisguised expectation in his mother's eyes, Jiang Wenxuan couldn't bear to hurt her. He forced himself to endure the strange, burnt, and bitter taste in his mouth, and said against his will, "Oh, of course it's delicious!"

Upon hearing this, Madam Sun immediately smiled broadly and turned to warmly invite everyone to eat, saying, "Everyone, please eat! Don't be shy, have a taste!"

Jiang Botao deliberately picked out the largest, most uniform-looking piece of meat and put it in his mouth. But after that one bite, he almost died on the spot.

Jiang Botao couldn't hold it in any longer and was about to spit out the meat when he was caught red-handed by the sharp-eyed Sun.

"Don't vomit!" Sun shouted immediately.

Jiang Botao forced the meat that was about to enter his mouth back down. His throat felt bitter and astringent, and he felt extremely uncomfortable. He felt as if he had almost lost half his life after taking that bite.

Feeling a little embarrassed by being scolded like that in front of outsiders, Madam Sun cleared her throat and asked with a mixture of uncertainty and resentment, "Is it really that bad? Wenxuan thought it tasted pretty good."

Looking at his father's frustrated expression, Jiang Wenxuan secretly clicked his tongue in amazement: "My father is really brave. He wouldn't dare to show it so openly."

Although Sun was the daughter of a merchant family, she did not come from a humble background. She had a cook serving her since she was a child, so she had never really learned to cook.

Just as Nie Qianqian was about to pick up her chopsticks to taste just how bad the braised pork was, Madam Sun took a piece and put it in her mouth first.

The next second, her expression instantly fell, looking exactly like a "painful mask." She hurriedly gathered the bowls and plates on the table toward herself, waving her hands and saying, "Don't eat, don't eat! I can't even swallow this myself, how can I bring it to entertain everyone?"

She slammed her hand on the table in annoyance, and said apologetically, "I was too presumptuous today. I'll take everyone out for a nice meal tonight as an apology!"

"We can't go out for a housewarming dinner in our new home, can we?" Nie Qianqian stood up with a smile and said, "It's okay, no need to go out and bother, I'll cook."

Although her cooking skills are not as exquisite as Liu Yan's, she is more than capable of making a few simple home-style dishes, and the taste is quite good.

Upon hearing this, Gu Xiao also stood up and said naturally, "I'll assist you."

The two worked together seamlessly and swiftly, and in no time, four dishes and a soup were served steaming hot. Although they were all ordinary home-style dishes, and the variety and quantity were not large, the rich aroma of the food wafted up as soon as it was placed on the table, instantly whetting everyone's appetite and making them eager to eat.

Nie Qianqian pointed to one of the stir-fried vegetables and introduced it with a smile: "This dish was made by Gu Xiao. You can try it and see how it tastes."

Tang Yu's eyes widened immediately, and he looked at Gu Xiao with disbelief, unable to resist asking curiously, "Brother Gu, you can actually cook?"

Gu Xiao nodded calmly and said to him, "Try it."

Tang Yu quickly picked up his chopsticks, took a large bite, chewed it carefully a few times, and his eyes lit up instantly. He exclaimed repeatedly, "It tastes amazing!"

Brother Gu is exceptionally talented, his academic achievements are unparalleled, and he has a handsome and elegant appearance. I never expected that he could also cook!

From a young age, he believed in the principle that "all other pursuits are inferior, only studying is superior," and always felt that men should devote all their time and energy to studying and learning, and that a gentleman should stay away from the kitchen.

But now, seeing Gu Xiao like this, I realize that these things don't affect my studies at all.

As Jiang Wenxuan ate the dishes prepared by Gu Xiao, he was slightly taken aback upon hearing Tang Yu's words.

Tang Yu was unaware of Gu Xiao's past, but he knew it all too well.

Gu Xiao used to be very poor, rarely even able to afford a full meal. He not only had to help Liu Yan with all the chores around the house, but also had to find time to copy books to earn money to supplement the family income. Even so, he always wore faded old clothes, and was always thin and frail…

He put down his chopsticks and added, "Brother Gu knows a lot more; you'll find out soon enough."

Tang Yu's eyes gleamed with even more admiration, and he couldn't help but sigh:

How can someone be so outstanding! It's truly admirable.

Tang Yu kept praising Gu Xiao, so Sun Shi turned her attention to Nie Qianqian. After taking a bite of the dish Nie Qianqian had made, she immediately praised it highly, her tone full of genuine admiration: "I never expected Qianqian to be so beautiful, so good at business, and so good at cooking! Compared to her, I feel so useless."

She took Nie Qianqian's hand and said sincerely, "Qianqian, you're such a good cook. You must teach me sometime!"

Hearing his mother call Nie Qianqian "sister," Jiang Wenxuan couldn't help but pout, his face turning long again.

Why do you always call me "Mom"? Doesn't that make him look younger in the family hierarchy?

Nie Qianqian smiled and nodded in agreement: "Okay, but what I make is just home cooking, nothing special. My mother Liu Yan's cooking skills are unparalleled. When she comes to the provincial capital, she will teach you properly, and I guarantee you will learn real skills."

Thinking of the delicious food she had eaten at Qiyue Tower, Madam Sun couldn't help but nod repeatedly: "That was wonderful!"

After dinner, everyone went back to their own rooms. Gu Xiao, Jiang Wenxuan, and Tang Yu went to the study to continue their evening studies as usual.

Madam Sun sat in front of the dressing table, slowly untying the beaded hair ornaments in her hair in front of the mirror. As she did so, she sighed to Jiang Botao beside her, "Master, do you think I'm pretty useless?"

Jiang Botao was taken aback for a moment, then asked, somewhat puzzled, "Why are you suddenly saying this? What are you thinking?"

"Look at me, I can't even cook a decent meal. I don't have Liu Yan's skillful hands. Although I come from a merchant family, I have no interest in business and know nothing about it. You have to manage all the family business. I can't compare to Qianqian."

"Oh dear, this won't work, that won't work either," Mrs. Sun said, becoming more and more frustrated.

Seeing her like this, Jiang Botao couldn't help but laugh and teased, "Why not? You have good taste!"

"Where is my judgment good?" Mrs. Sun looked at him in confusion.

"You've chosen a husband like me, you certainly have excellent taste!"

Sun was amused by him and slapped him, laughing and scolding, "You shameless scoundrel, all you do is pat yourself on the back!"

“This isn’t just flattery, I’m telling the truth, you really have good taste!” Jiang Botao said, shaking the gold hairpin on his head.

He stopped laughing and comforted her, "Besides, who said you couldn't do it? You're very lucky! Ever since you married me, my business has grown bigger and bigger, and now I've met benefactors like Qianqian and Gu Xiao."

"Everyone has their own path to walk and their own strengths, so why do you have to compare yourself to others?"

Hearing Jiang Botao's comforting words, Sun felt much better, but at the same time, she secretly planned to become a woman with a skill, just like Nie Qianqian and Liu Yan.

She looked up at Jiang Botao and said, "When you have some free time, could you teach me some business tips?"

Upon hearing this, Jiang Botao was immediately stunned—Sun Shi used to dislike these things the most, always saying that thinking about business would make one overthink, grow gray hair, and age prematurely. But unexpectedly, she now took the initiative to ask to learn, which was truly beyond his expectations.

He immediately nodded in agreement: "Okay, if you're willing to learn, I'll teach you properly."

He felt that Nie Qianqian's family seemed to possess a peculiar magic. Since getting to know them, everything around him had been quietly getting better.

Wenxuan calmed his mind and devoted himself to his studies; he also had new ideas for expanding his business in the provincial capital; even his wife, who had always only known how to enjoy life, began to want to learn some skills and become better.

That vibrant life force that emanates from their very being is like a ray of warm sunshine, effortlessly dispelling the dullness of daily life. Getting close to such people makes you unable to help but be infected, and you also want to move forward and make your life more fulfilling.

The next day, as dawn broke and the sky was just beginning to lighten, the three-person exam preparation team got up on time and practiced Baduanjin (Eight Pieces of Brocade) in the courtyard with Gu Xiao and Nie Qianqian.

After persisting for a while, Tang Yu and Jiang Wenxuan felt more and more that the Eight Pieces of Brocade was truly wonderful. Stretching their bodies like this every morning made them feel light and comfortable all day long, and they were also full of energy.

Seeing this, Jiang Botao and Sun couldn't help but join the small group practicing Baduanjin.

So the servants of the Jiang family saw their masters gathered in the courtyard early in the morning. The seven of them were doing some strange yet synchronized movements, and occasionally making soft breathing sounds.

This scene was truly unheard of and unseen, leaving the servants feeling secretly puzzled.

Today is Nie Qianqian's day off, so she doesn't have to go to Jishetang to see patients. She plans to rest at home for a day and also fulfill her promise to teach Sun Shi how to cook.

Back when she was at the inn, Sun had heard other women who were accompanying their children to the exam say that chicken soup was the best way to nourish the students taking the exam, and that the freshest chicken should be used and cooked on the spot.

So in the morning, she took her personal maid to the market and carefully selected a large rooster with bright plumage and a strong physique, hoping to give her three children a good boost.

But once home, killing and catching the rooster became a major problem. This rooster was incredibly fierce, a true fighter jet among roosters.

Madam Sun herself naturally dared not make a move, and the maids were also timid and hesitant, too frightened to approach.

Seeing this, the three servants of the house volunteered to go forward and attack, but unexpectedly, the rooster flapped its wings and flew out of the encirclement.

The rooster, neck stiff, crowed triumphantly at the crowd, leaving the three grown men momentarily speechless.

The commotion in the yard was so loud that it woke up the three people who were concentrating on reading inside the room.

As soon as they stepped outside, they saw Madam Sun with four or five servants, circling around a proud and imposing rooster. The rooster, however, showed no sign of panic and instead became even more smug.

Nie Qianqian also came out upon hearing the noise. Seeing the chaotic scene before her, she calmly said:

"Don't panic, I'm here, I'll catch it."

As she spoke, she rolled up her sleeves and walked step by step toward the rooster.

The rooster seemed to sense danger and immediately tensed up, entering a state of emergency.

Nie Qianqian lightly touched the ground with her toes and used her lightness skill to quickly fly forward, intending to subdue it in one move.

Unexpectedly, the rooster also unleashed amazing potential. Terrified, it used all its strength to flap its wings and flew over the yard wall, landing on the street outside.

Nie Qianqian was also startled, thinking to herself: This is no rooster, it looks like a bird!

Just as she was about to chase after them, she heard several exclamations outside: "Oh dear, oh dear, where did this chicken come from?"

Then came a muffled thud, as if something had fallen heavily to the ground.

Nie Qianqian sensed something was wrong and quickly ran out. She saw two unassuming but exquisitely crafted sedan chairs parked on the street outside the courtyard. The rooster that had caused the trouble had landed directly on the top of one of the sedan chairs, startling the servants carrying it so much that they immediately stopped and turned pale.

The curtain of the sedan chair in front was lifted first, and a man strode out of it, sternly rebuking the servants carrying it: "How are you carrying this sedan chair? Don't you know that the lady has just recovered from her illness and cannot withstand any fright?"

When Nie Qianqian looked, she realized it was someone she knew – Jiang Zheng'an.

Jiang Zheng'an had been accompanying his mother, Wei Susu, to look at houses these past few days when they unexpectedly encountered this accident.

From inside the sedan chair behind, came Wei Susu's gentle voice: "Zheng'an, I'm fine, don't worry, and don't blame them."

Upon hearing the voice, Nie Qianqian recognized it as Wei Susu.

What's Wei Susu doing here? Why isn't she resting peacefully at the governor's residence? Why is she in Haitang Hutong?

After confirming that his mother was alright, Jiang Zheng'an turned to look at the crowd at the courtyard gate. When his gaze fell on Nie Qianqian, he was taken aback and recognized her.

Isn't this the same feisty young woman I met in Fulin County?

He had a particularly deep impression of Nie Qianqian, firstly because her appearance was truly outstanding. Even in the capital city where beauties gathered, few could compare with her. Perhaps only his younger sister, Jiang Muxin, could barely be compared to her.

Secondly, it was because she was too assertive. He still remembered how she righteously reprimanded the manager at Guangjuxuan.

He ran into her again afterward and wanted to kindly remind her that women should be gentle and respectful to avoid being taken advantage of in the future. However, he did not expect that the woman would not appreciate his advice at all and instead gave him a cold shoulder.

Now that she was the one who had messed up and disturbed her mother's sedan chair, Jiang Zheng'an's face instantly darkened, and he asked in an unfriendly tone, "Are these your chickens? How did they get out into the street and startle people?"

Upon seeing the young man's luxurious attire and extraordinary bearing, Madam Sun and Jiang Botao knew he must be wealthy and powerful, so they quickly stepped forward and apologized with smiles on their faces.

"I'm so sorry, young master!" Madam Sun quickly explained, "This is the chicken I bought this morning. I was going to make chicken soup to nourish the children, but I didn't expect this chicken to be so lively. It flew right out of the yard and disturbed everyone. I'm really sorry!"

Jiang Botao also stepped in to smooth things over, and the couple spoke back and forth with utmost sincerity.